New Yorkers 60 and over can be vaccinated starting March 10

Government employees, nonprofit workers and workers in essential construction services are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine as of March 17

Expansion of eligibility for vaccine distribution; All providers, except pharmacies, can now vaccinate any eligible New Yorker starting March 17; Pharmacies can vaccinate over 60s and teachers as per federal guidelines starting March 10

New Yorkers can schedule appointments at state-run immunization sites using the New York “ Am I Eligible ” tool or by calling 1-833-NYS-4-VAX

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a further extension of COVID-19 vaccine eligibility in New York City. Starting March 10, all New Yorkers aged 60 and over will be able to receive the vaccine, while essential public-facing workers from government and nonprofit entities will be eligible starting March 17. This expansion also includes essential building services workers facing the public.

In addition, the Governor announced that with the increase in vaccine supply, restrictions on the segments of the eligible population that specific providers can immunize will be relaxed to align with expanding eligibility on March 17. Previously, certain types of providers had to target their vaccination. efforts on specific populations to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines. For example, hospitals vaccinated healthcare workers, local health departments vaccinated essential workers, and pharmacies vaccinated New Yorkers 65 and older. Now, providers will be able to immunize any eligible New Yorker, except pharmacies, which will focus on people over 60 and teachers, according to federal policy. Pharmacies can start vaccinating people over 60 and teachers on March 10. As part of this effort, providers are encouraged to vaccinate New Yorkers most at risk, such as those 60 years of age and older and those with underlying comorbidities. health conditions.

“New York is moving forward by expanding access to the COVID-19 vaccine, reaching out to underserved communities and receiving shots as we turn the tide in the fight against this virus,” Governor Cuomo said. “The supply is steadily increasing and we are opening new vaccination sites and expanding eligibility to make it happen. New Yorkers over 60 and those who serve fellow New Yorkers in the public sector are more vulnerable to COVID-19, and we are addressing this vulnerability by providing access to the vaccine. The fight against the COVID beast continues on all fronts, and we are lowering the infection rate while increasing our vaccinations. ”

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As part of this new eligibility extension, the following essential workers will now be eligible to start receiving the COVID-19 vaccine on March 17:

  • Government and public employees in contact with the public
  • Nonprofits who provide public services to New Yorkers in need
  • Essential construction service workers face to face with the public

This includes workers such as public works workers, social and children’s service workers, government inspectors, sanitation workers, DMV workers, county clerks, district clerks workers. building services and election workers – the everyday heroes who have come forward day after day throughout this pandemic.

New York’s vast distribution network and large population of eligible individuals still far exceed supply from the federal government. Due to this limited supply, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and not to show up for walk-in vaccination sites.

New York is moving forward by expanding access to the COVID-19 vaccine, reaching out to underserved communities and receiving shots as we turn the tide in the fight against this virus.


CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan said: “Since the start of this pandemic, essential frontline public officials have put their own safety and that of their families at risk to ensure that our state and local governments continue to provide the necessary services to all New- Yorker. We are happy to hear that all of these workers are now eligible for the vaccine. They deserve to be protected so that New York can reopen completely and safely. “

NY AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento said: “Our essential workers have been on the front lines since the start of this pandemic to ensure our communities can continue to function in the midst of this crisis. While many essential workers have already been vaccinated, now is the time to ensure that the rest of the people who go to work every day and interact with the public are protected from this virus and can keep themselves and their lives safe. their family. I thank Governor Cuomo for expanding vaccine eligibility to even more essential workers facing the public and for the state’s continued efforts to vaccinate every New Yorker. “

32BJ SEIU President Kyle Bragg said: “We applaud Governor Cuomo for adding construction workers to the vaccine eligibility list. Construction workers have protected the city during the pandemic and will now have the protection they need to stay safe. Workers in building services such as door staff, super people, cleaners and security officers, resident managers, porters have helped New Yorkers through the pandemic and are vital to the city’s recovery. Their health and safety is linked to the health and safety of the city. ”

DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido said: “Members of District Council 37 put their lives on the line every day to provide essential services that New Yorkers rely on. Putting our workers first for vaccine eligibility is the right thing to do. It protects them and their families and communities. I applaud this expansion. “

Harry Nespoli, president of IBT Local 831 of the Association of Uniformed Hygienists, said: “We have been in constant communication with the Governor’s office on this matter and are very pleased that our members are eligible to receive vaccinations. Over 25% of our members have been infected with COVID-19 and tragically four have died. We greatly appreciate the governor’s actions. “

Eligible New Yorkers will be able to make appointments at state vaccination sites by using the New York “ Am I Eligible ” website or by calling the state’s COVID-19 vaccination hotline at 1 -833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697- 4829).

New York maintains and expands an extensive vaccine distribution network. On March 8, Governor Cuomo announced that with federal vaccine supply continuing to increase, New York will establish 10 additional state-run mass immunization sites in New York, Long Island, Hudson Valley, Capital, Southern Tier , Mohawk Valley and Western New York regions to further develop New York’s extensive distribution network. The sites are still in development and should be launched in the coming weeks. The latest details, including appointment booking information and opening hours, will be released in the coming days.

Not only has New York already established 13 other state-run mass vaccination sites, but in order to fulfill the governor’s mandate to ensure the fair and equitable distribution of the vaccine, many more sites have been established to ensure that New Yorkers -Yorkers living in underserved communities. have direct access to the vaccine. This includes six joint state-FEMA community vaccination sites, the Yankee Stadium mass vaccination site, and more than 120 community pop-up sites in public housing estates, churches, and community centers.

Contact the governor’s press office